Fairfax Dumpster Rental | FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

Services

Q: Why use Fairfax Dumpster Rental?

Q: What size dumpster rentals are available?

We have a variety of dumpster sizes from small to large, as well as special use dumpsters. Some common dumpster dimensions include (actual dumpster dimensions may vary):

• 10yd Dumpster - a 10 cubic yard dumpster, 10' x 8' x 4'
  with a 2 ton allowance
• 15yd Dumpster - a 15 cubic yard dumpster, 14' x 8' x 4',
  with a 2 ton allowance
• 20yd Dumpster - a 20 cubic yard dumpster, 16' x 8' x 6'
  or 23' x 8' x 4.5', 3 ton allowance
• 30yd Dumpster - a 30 cubic yard dumpster, 23' x 8' x 6',
  with a 4 ton allowance
• Concrete Dumpster - a 15yd dumpster that you can fill two-thirds full with concrete (about 10 tons)
• Dirt Dumpster - a 10yd dumpster that you can fill full with dirt (about 10 tons)
• Asphalt Dumpster - a 15yd dumpster that you can fill two-thirds full with asphalt (about 10 tons)
• Metal Dumpster - a dumpster used to recycle metal, saving you on disposal costs.

Q: How do I rent a dumpster?

To rent a dumpster

1. Give us a call at 703-229-8080
2. Provide us with a delivery address, a delivery date and time window, where you want the dumpster placed, and your contact information
3. Pay with a credit card
4. We email you a receipt and deliver your dumpster
5. When it is full call us at 703-229-8080 to request a pickup
6. We pickup your dumpster, weigh it, dispose of the material, and bill you for any weight or days overages. (We also bill bill you for any prohibited items) We charge the credit card we have on file.

Pricing

Q: How much does a dumpster cost?

Dumpster prices vary based on several factors.

• Where you want the dumpster located (the city we deliver to)
• What size dumpster you want.
• How long you will keep the dumpster
• What type of material you will be putting into the dumpster

Call us for a quote on your dumpster at 703-229-8080.

Q: What types of payment are accepted?

We accept all major credit cards including Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover. In limited rare cases we can accept cash, but a credit card or deposit is required to secure overage charges. In some rare cases we can accept a company check from an established business, but we much prefer a credit card.

Q: How do I pay for my order?

To pay for your dumpster simply give us your credit card info over the phone. We require that payment be collected before the dumpster can be delivered.

Q: Do you offer discounts on dumpsters?

From time to time we offer specials and discounts on our dumpster rentals. When ordering, mention that you read the FAQ and wanted to know if we have any specials or discounts.

Dumpster Features

Q: What size dumpster do I need?

Dumpster Size for Residential Household Clean Up

Recommendation: 10-yard, 15-yard, 20-yard, or 30-yard Roll Off Dumpster

Dumpster Rentals for Hoarder Homes

Recommendation: 30-yard Roll-Off Dumpster

What Size Dumpster Do I Need for Moving?

Recommendation: 15-yard or 20-yard Roll-off Dumpster

Dumpster Sizing for Estate Clean Up

Recommendation: 30-Yard Roll Off

Best Sized Dumpsters for Carnivals and Festivals

Recommended: 20-yard to 30-yard Roll Off

Dumpster Sizes for Demolition and Remodeling

Recommendation: 30-Yard Roll Off Dumpster

What Dumpster Size for a Full Home Demolition?

Recommendation: 30-yard Roll Off Dumpster

Best Dumpster Size for Construction Sites

Recommendation: 30-yard Roll Off Dumpster

What Size Dumpster will I need for new construction?

Recommendation: 30-yard Roll Off Dumpster

What Size Dumpster do I need for Garage Demolition?

Recommendation: 30-yard Roll Off Dumpster

Dumpsters for Concrete, Dirt, Asphalt, and Brick

Recommendation: A Special Dumpster with lower sidewalls is recommended. The dumpster can only be partially filled, clean dump only. Dense materials such as concrete, dirt, asphalt and brick can easily exceed the truck's capacity to lift the rolloff dumpster. If your dumpster is overfilled we will not be able to pick it up and you will get a trip charge. You will have to offload the excess material before we can pick it up.

What Size Dumpster do I need for Roofing?

Recommendation: 10-yard Roll Off or Larger. For single layer tear-off, a 10-yard dumpster can easily hold 15 squares. We recommend a 20-yard dumpster for up to 24 squares, and a 30-yard dumpster for larger roofs. Remember shingles are heavy and you may have overweight charges. (A single layer of shingles can weigh up to 200 pounds per 100 square feet.)

Q: Does my dumpster have a weight limit?

Your dumpster rental comes with a weight allowance, or an amount of weight that is included at no extra charge. This amount is sufficient for most jobs. If you have excess weight, you will be charged by the prorated ton. In Virginia, the Department of Transportation (DOT) limit for a dumpster is 10 tons. Our smaller trucks can lift 6 to 8 tons, and our larger trucks can lift 20 tons. You are responsible for making sure your dumpster does not exceed the limits that the truck can carry. If you exceed the DOT limit you may be charged an Extreme Weight fee in addition to the regular tonnage costs.

Q: What can and can't I put in a dumpster?

Generally you can put any kind of normal construction or household cleanup debris in the dumpster. Some exceptions include hazardous materials and liquids. This means no cans of paint. Automobile tires are not allowed. No refrigerators, air conditioners, or freezers as this contains a refrigerant, such as Freon, that is a hazardous material. Televisions are not allowed. Mattresses are generally not allowed. The restrictions vary depending on the dump site that is used, so ask if you have questions about something you are throwing away. Prohibited items may incur a charge from the dump site which will be billed back to you.

We ask that you not put dirt, concrete, bricks or other heavy material in a dumpster. The dump sites do not like these materials, but the real problem is the weight. Put it in if you wish, but you get charged by the ton. It is common for us to go to pickup a dumpster of yard waste that was loaded by a skid steer loader (Bobcat) and the amount of dirt in the dumpster makes it impossibly heavy for us to pick up. You then get charged a trip fee and you have to unload the dumpster enough so we can pick it up.

For more information see our Prohibited Items page.

Q: Does my dumpster have a door?

All of our dumpsters have a eight foot wide door that is generally hinged on the passenger side. The door requires 8 to 10 feet of clearance to open fully. You may use the door to walk in any items or use a hand truck or wheelbarrow to put items in the dumpsters. All of our dumpsters are open top containers so you may also throw stuff in over the side.

Q: Is there a right way to load a dumpster?

Please load the dumpster evenly, both from front to back and left to right. If the dumpster is unbalanced then it makes it unsafe to drive down the road and we may not be able to pick it up.

Q: Do I need a permit for a dumpster?

Generally speaking you do not need a permit to place a dumpster on private property. Permits are for placing a dumpster on public land, such as a road.

Delivery

Q: When will my dumpster be delivered?

We do not guarantee a delivery time, or appointment, despite anything you wish we can do or think you might have been told. We schedule your dumpster for delivery on a particular day. You may request a morning or afternoon delivery. The driver will try to accommodate you. Depending upon the route, your dumpster may be delivered as early as five in the morning, or as late as five in the evening. We use a "best effort" approach to meet your stated requirements if we can. If you want your dumpster first thing in the morning, remember that other people also want to be first. The customers who order several days in advance are going to be the ones who get an early delivery, not the person who orders at closing time the night before.

Our trucks only run when the dump sites are open. Our rolloff dumpster trucks do not deliver on Sundays, holidays, and other times the dump sites are closed. Saturday deliveries, if available, are only in the morning before the dump site closes. Often to deliver a dumpster we have to pick one up, empty it, then deliver it to you.

Circumstances beyond our control can make your delivery late. This includes inclement weather and flooding, bad traffic, problems at a previous delivery site, and mechanical problems with our trucks. We do our best efforts to get your dumpster to you quickly, and we normally succeed. There are occasions where a delivery or pickup is much later than we had anticipated, or gets pushed to the next day.

Q: Should I be home for delivery/pickup?

We deliver dumpsters in homeowner's driveways every day. You do not have to be there. If there is some element of the placement you think is critical, you should ask us to call you before delivery.

Q: Can a dumpster sit in my steep driveway?

We commonly place dumpsters on an incline. They weigh, particularly when filled, several tons, and friction holds them in place. A driver once said he has never seen a driveway he couldn't put a dumpster on. So let us try. We will do it if we can.

Q: How much space is needed?

Our dumpsters ride on a rail on the truck. A dumpster is going to be anywhere from 12 to 23 feet long. Plus the length of the truck the dumpster rolls off of. So you need a minimum of 50 feet plus room for the truck to maneuver in. When the dumpster slides off the truck, this is done by tilting one end of the dumpster in the air, often with a hook arm. The rolloff truck needs a lot of clearance above it. Low hanging branches and wires of any sort can prevent us from dropping a dumpster.

If you want your dumpster in a parking space, we often need three adjacent parking spaces to put the dumpster in at an angle so we do not block the traffic lane. For a townhome community the drive lane may be too narrow for the truck to back into and we may need to place the dumpster in a side area. Please consult your HOA for permission.

Q: How do I protect my driveway?

Normally there is no problem with putting a dumpster on a driveway or other paved surface. However if the driveway is made from decorative stone, or has a "new" look to it, homeowners can be concerned for the appearance. The customer bears the responsibility for any damage to the driveway. Dumpsters are heavy and will leave scrapes and scratches. It is your responsibility to protect your driveway if it is "new" looking. And you bear the responsibility for cracks if your driveway is old.

Our dumpsters have metal rollers for wheels. In hot summer months these will create depressions in heat softened asphalt. The roller wheels can scratch or damage concrete and asphalt surfaces. If this concerns you, you should provide wood panels for the dumpster to sit on. The easiest way is to purchase a 4'x8' sheet of 3/4" plywood and have two cuts made to create four 2'x4' pieces. Leave these where you want the dumpster to sit and the rolloff truck driver will place one piece of wood under each of the four corner wheels.

The roll-off dumpster must be placed on a hard surface other than dirt. Gravel, asphalt, and concrete are all acceptable. If the container is placed on dirt, the wheels may sink after a rainfall event and the truck could get stuck. At the least, your dumpster will not be moving until the ground dries.

Q: Can I request a specific delivery time?

We will try to accommodate you if we can, but generally you can only request a delivery date and a window of morning or afternoon. That said, the driver will still sometimes get the dumpster there about the hour you need it if there is a critical special circumstance.

Q: Who do I call to pick up my dumpster?

Call us, the same number you called to order the dumpster, for the fastest pickup. You can reach Fairfax Dumpster Rental at 703-229-8080.